Ethicon, Gmbh

Cilag International Gmbh

Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Nike, Inc.

Battelle Memorial Institute

Battellepharma, Inc.

Gregory A Trees

Chad Paul Boudreaux

Geoffrey S Strobl

David C Yates

Barry C Worrell

Raymond J Sander

James S Thomas

Frederick E Shelton, IV

David Keith Norvell

Foster B Stulen

Brian D Black

Kristen G Denzinger

Gregory W Johnson

Craig N Faller

John A Hibner

Mark A Davison

Kevin L Houser

Matthew C Miller

Gavin Martin Monson

Rudolph Henry Nobis

Jeffrey S Swayze

Charles J Scheib

William Bruce Weisenburgh, Ii

John B Schulte

Jason L Harris

Kevin Michael Fiebig

Richard William Timm

David A Witt

William Eugene Clem

Zhifan F Huang

Tamara S Widenhouse

Jerome R Morgan

Jeffrey David Messerly

Mark D Overmyer

Richard L Leimbach

Eitan T Wiener

Daniel W Price

Cory G Kimball

Brett E Swensgard

James R Giordano

Sean P Conlon

Daniel J Mumaw

Bret William Smith

John V Hunt

Kyle P Moore

Ryan M Asher

Benjamin D Dickerson

Gary W Knight

Matthew Paul Rubal

Vincent Contini

Jonathan T Batross

Randolph C Stewart

John E Brady

Cameron R Nott

Michael J Andreyko

James A Prescott

Madeleine C Jayme

Patrick Jarvis Scoggins

Amrita Singh Sawhney

Gregory D Bishop

Eric N Johnson

Shawn C Snyder

Catherine A Corbett

Kevin M Montgomery

Nicholas G Molitor

Jason R Lesko

Stephen M Leuck

Alexander R Cuti

Matthew S Schneider

Aaron C Voegele

Eric M Roberson

Jason E Zerkle

Rafael J Ruiz Ortiz

Phillip H Clauda

Paul Christopher Roberts

Robert J Laird

James E Dvorsky

R Reade Harpham

Alan Edward Green

William Godwin Atterbury

Chad Edward Bouton

Kevin D Felder

David James Cagle

Tylor C Muhlenkamp

Thomas Bates Jackson

Paul T Franer

Patrick J Minnelli

Craig T Davis

Frederick L Estera

John A Weed, Iii

David Alexander Monroe

William A Olson

Ion V Nicolaescu

Joseph Daniel Dennis, Jr

Charles D Black

Edward G Chekan

Ellen E Burkart

James Henry Saunders

Emron Jackson Henry

David Arthur Holley

Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating and controlling a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclosed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance as defined as The control circuit receives a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis. The control circuit estimates the state of the end effector of the ultrasonic device and controls the state of the end effector of the ultrasonic device based on the estimated state.

Methods for estimating and controlling state of ultrasonic end effector

Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclosed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as Z(t)=V(t)/I(t). The control circuit receives a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.

Estimating state of ultrasonic end effector and control system therefor

An apparatus including a body, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector configured to grasp and transmit RF energy to the tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first tissue grasping feature and a second jaw. The second jaw is pivotably coupled to the first jaw between an open position, a partially closed position, and a closed position. The second jaw includes a proximal taper having a proximal electrode surface, a distal taper including a distal electrode surface, and a juncture between the proximal and distal electrode surface. The juncture is spaced further from the first tissue grasping feature compared to the proximal and distal end while the second jaw is in the partially closed position. The proximal and distal electrode surface deform to define a gap with the first tissue grasping feature while in the closed position.

Jaw for surgical instrument end effector

Various embodiments of surgical robot control systems are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the surgical robot control system comprises a housing. A controller is located within the housing and is coupled to a socket. The socket receives a handheld surgical user interface therein to control a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is connected to the surgical robot and comprises an end effector and a mechanical interface to manipulate the end effector. The mechanical interface is coupled to the controller. At least one sensor is coupled to the controller and the socket to convert movement of the handheld surgical user interface into electrical signals corresponding to the movement of the surgical instrument. At least one feedback device is coupled to the controller to provide feedback to a user. The feedback is associated with a predetermined function of the surgical instrument.

Haptic feedback devices for surgical robot

Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclosed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as The control circuit receives a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.

A surgical apparatus includes a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a rigidizing member. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide includes a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section includes a first member and a second member. The second member is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The rigidizing member is configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the articulation section to thereby selectively provide rigidity to the articulation section.

Ultrasonic surgical instrument with movable rigidizing member

An ultrasonic device may include an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency and include an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A method of delivering energy to the device may include applying energy to the blade at a first power level via the transducer coupled to the blade, measuring a complex impedance of the transducer, receiving a complex impedance feedback data point, comparing the complex impedance feedback data point to a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern, and determining that the blade is contacting a vessel based on the comparison. The method may also include disabling the power applied to the transducer and switching to a lower power level. The method may further include generating a warning that the blade is contacting a vessel, such as a light or a sound. An ultrasonic surgical instrument may effect the method.

Detection of large vessels during parenchymal dissection using a smart blade

Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device can include at least one sensor and a motor, and an output of the motor can be configured to be adjusted based at least in part on an output from the at least one sensor. The output of the motor can be configured to provide power for translation of a cutting element along an end effector of the device. Adjusting the motor's output can cause the cutting element to translate through the end effector at different speeds, thereby allowing the cutting element to cut through tissue being grasped by the end effector at different speeds.

Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices

Various systems and methods for determining the composition of tissue via an ultrasonic surgical instrument are disclosed. A control circuit can be configured to monitor the change in resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system of the ultrasonic surgical instrument as the ultrasonic blade oscillates against a tissue and determine the composition of the tissue accordingly. In some aspects, the control circuit can be configured to modify the operation of the ultrasonic electromechanical system or other operational parameters of the ultrasonic surgical instrument according to the detected tissue composition.

Determining tissue composition via an ultrasonic system

A surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic waveguide extending through a body assembly. An ultrasonic blade connects to the ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly of the surgical instrument is able to move from an opened position for receiving a tissue toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. The clamp arm assembly includes a clamp body and a clamp pad facing the ultrasonic blade. A clamp arm actuator of the surgical instrument is able to move from a first position toward a second position to direct the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. A modular coupling of the surgical instrument connects to the clamp pad such that at least the clamp pad can be disconnected relative to the ultrasonic blade for replacement thereof.

Surgical instrument with removable end effector components

A method for controlling an operation of an ultrasonic blade of an ultrasonic electromechanical system is disclosed. The method includes providing an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade via an ultrasonic waveguide; applying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer; determining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, a mechanical property of the ultrasonic electromechanical system; comparing, by the control circuit, the mechanical property with a reference mechanical property stored in the memory; and adjusting, by the control circuit, the power level applied to the ultrasonic transducer based on the comparison of the mechanical property with the reference mechanical property.

Method for controlling smart energy devices

An electrosurgical system includes an RF current generator, a handle body, and an end effector. The end effector may include a first and a second energy delivery surface. At least a portion of either first or second energy delivery surfaces, or both, may include one or more patterned coatings of an electrically non-conducting non-stick material. The material may be deposited on a surface of, within a depression in, or on features extending from the energy surfaces, or through an overmolding process. The patterned coating may be formed from a coating of the material from which portions have been removed. An energy delivery surface has a first area, and the patterned coating has a second area. A ratio of the second area to the first area may be less than or equal to about 0.9, less than or equal to about 0.7, or less than or equal to about 0.5.

Area ratios of patterned coatings on RF electrodes to reduce sticking

Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating and controlling a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclosed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as The control circuit receives a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis. The control circuit estimates the state of the end effector of the ultrasonic device and controls the state of the end effector of the ultrasonic device based on the estimated state.

Growing community of inventors

Loveland, OH, United States of America

Gregory A Trees